happyydays Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 (edited) I've been reading all these replies for almost half an hour... You have all have given me strength. I never truly admitted to myself that I have 'triggers'.. but hopefully compiling a list and writing it down will help me be more aware of my thoughts/actions. Spread legs Open bedroom doors Alcohol-laced breath Paranoia about my parents having sex (a weird, new one that only started a few months ago) Surprising physical contact (ie. a hug from behind) Cigarette smoke When a male walks around in only underwear (especially my father or brother) Being alone at night Beds, especially my bed and bunk-beds. And in general, any male that has passed, or is currently in, puberty makes me uncomfortable.. I need to get past that one for sure Edited July 10, 2012 by happyydays Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LBinON Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 (edited) french blue sheets particularly with dark geometric patterns beards (stubble is fine just not full beards and only if the beard touches me) hiking boots with red laces purple therma-rests chrome barber style massagers I have some others but these are my unusual ones oh and it turns out ambulances with lights and sirens driving past me full tilt Edited July 19, 2012 by LBinON Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
relovelace Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 (edited) Drunk men (I'm terrified to go out anymore) Vommit A certain cologne Laying down with my arms above my head Dirty songs about sex Guys talking about sex I probably have more but this is the first time I've thought about it. Good idea! Edited July 19, 2012 by relovelace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhoThought Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Mine are pretty specific: - If I worry my underwear is peaking out of my pants - Burgundy pickup trucks - Sleeves of clear plastic cups - Watching people lock doors from the inside (not with a key) - Other people mentioning that they need to take a shower - People spitting on things (not just spitting on the ground) - Talk about the morning after pill - People eating eggs at night Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flowergirl51 Posted July 21, 2012 Share Posted July 21, 2012 Belts. Haven't been able to speak the word in 55 yrs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shatteredAli Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 I am a 7 year survivor of rape. It was a stranger rape...3 men broke into the house. For me...my triggers I don't think are weird but I still have flashes and nightmares. I just started dating again this year. Only one relationship has been past two weeks. My boyfriend now...he is amazing. So loving but I met him online. I am scared to meet him. I don't know how to tell him that but even him looking at me freaks me out. I am so scared. *being touched especially by men *talking about sex *sexual scenes in movies *people following me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeautifullyBroken2 Posted August 5, 2012 Share Posted August 5, 2012 The smell of beer. The smell of cigarette smoke. Someone touching/holding my wrists or arms. Any sound in the night. Being alone at night. Being alone in the dark. Some of these are worse than others. I can "prepare" myself to deal with the smell of beer and smoke, but if I smell it unexpectedly I automatically see his face. I can tolerate being alone at night if I stay busy until pure exhaustion where I basically pass out, but have to sleep with a light or tv on. I can't be alone in the dark without thinking he or someone is going to get me. And no matter who touches or hold my wrists it causes the worst response. It's been 12 years since I have had an encounter, but I don't think I will ever be able to handle that one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s.j. Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 The sound of fabric tearing Washcloths Taking a bath Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abster Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 Churches The smell of incense or that musky smell old buildings have Hearing hymns or chritmas carols The smell of tea Breakfast cereal The feel of Satin or silk Older men in their 60's / 70's especially if they have a beard. Its a weird one this as my abuser didnt have a beard. Washing my face Brushing my teeth Having my hand stroked Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
threetimes Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 I keep finding new ones. Here's what I know of right now. There are others, but not related to SA. Mustaches. With a beard or goatee is okay. Alone is a huge trigger. Anything touching the front of my neck. Roy Orbison music. Sleeping in a bed. Anyone close to my back. “Three days growth” facial hair. Bladder infections. The word “lurk”. The word “tease”. The word “doll” as a term of endearment. Hair being touched. Being in someone's house. Hugs. Tardiness. Dancing. Me dancing where anyone can see. Being told I am “safe”. The game “Twister”. Certain food items, ie hot dogs, bananas, large pieces of fruit. Brushing my teeth is often a trigger. Sometimes the brush. Sometimes the toothpaste. Martina McBride's song “I'm Gonna Love You Through It”. 3X Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spade1 Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 -Spreading my legs -Heat -Removing my bra -Demeaning comments about women -Semen or reference to it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BR26 Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 The strangest trigger of all for me is seeing or being around anything having to do with Native American culture. This makes me feel slightly horrible because I am not a racist/prejudiced person but it happens to be a gigantic trigger for me because my abuse situation centered around reference to Red Cloud the Sioux Chief. Hence, I cannot go to pow wows, casinos, Native American stores. Seeing hawks flying in the sky is also a trigger for me stemming from reference to them as "protection" over and over. Feathers bother me as well. Axes, knives, stones, dream catchers are included. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chantel2012 Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 The video game Skyrim Star Wars (or anything associated with it) Breathing or being kissed on or around my neck (something I used to love... He ruined it for me... a**hole) Sometimes being f**gered will REALLY trigger me S*x in general is triggering although not as bad as it once was... It is weird, it is usually hard for me to have s*x or to "get started" but once we start it is tolerable but then at other times during the middle of it I will just FREAK out and like cry and start to shake or I will just "blank out" and go inside of myself. My response varies and I never know how I will react so it is hard for me to have it now because I never know how I will react and it is embarrassing. Guys who look or sound a certain way (voice tone I mean) Guys with a certain name..... Songs/Movies Domestic Violence Mind control/abuse I have to stop I am starting to trigger myself.... Thanks for this thread by the way! ♥♥♥♥ Chantel ♥ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrtm1278 Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 Smell of beer breath. Men in swimsuits. Blankets on the couch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s.j. Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 my birthday! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Behind.My.Eyes Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 Mini-trampolines but not big ones. Unfinished basements but not finished ones.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Never_Again Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 Ah triggers... What an excellent idea, to exorcise our trigers The smell of menthol cigarettes Black cars Arrogant men Bald men ...men Borken glass, plates, etc Pool tables White button down shirts People touching me People standing or walking behind me Anything sexual: discussions, movie scenes, people kissing infront of me. Cant stand it. Its mostly the man aspect. I hate the thought of men kissing or grabbing. It makes me sick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaeOSL Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 Being at the lake alone. Tahoes If i'm in a room, doors have to be closed. People coming into the bathroom while i'm in the shower. Big Red Gum. Chocolate syrup. Back massages. My feet being touched. My husband touching my breast. Athority. Older men. Two door cars. UV Vodka. Curtains on windows being open come evening. Unlocked doors. Skirts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burkeev Posted October 6, 2012 Share Posted October 6, 2012 Rap music. I wasn't expecting that to be a trigger and found out the hard way that it was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HopeRedefined Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 *Blue eyed men *Tall men (anyone over 5'10" I avoid unless it's work related) *Men I don't know well invading my space *Being called sexy or being complimented on my body *Being intimate (gives me nausea) *When people don't believe something I've said (makes me want to burst into tears) *Someone grabbing my arm as I'm trying to walk away *Being hugged from behind *Being silenced by someone else's hand over my mouth *Having my wrists held down *People who come near me when I'm asleep (I wake up screaming) *Men who touch me inappropriately at a club *People staring at me *Having anyone standing over me when I'm laying on my back *Being kissed unexpectedly *Extroverted men *Men who are muscular *Back massages *When my weight drops below a size 2 (too much attention) *Hearing heavy breathing *New Years Eve *Hearing someone describe someone else as weak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LionessCub Posted November 11, 2012 Share Posted November 11, 2012 gold charm bracelets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrWatson Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 webcams, any phone conversations, anyone talking about sex/intimacy, being called 'sexy', car back seats Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roaring_Gryphon Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 (edited) Some of these hardly seem "weird" to me, but really I guess everything seems weird from close up from the perspective of the people sharing because they know they otherwise wouldnt have had a reaction to those things. Here mine, thankfully they are fairly benign and perhaps even quirky. Walking or standing on a "hollow" feeling surface bothers me, but mainly if its a metallic one, like standing on an overturned bucket or standing on the roof of a car. Also, bare feet in general irks me a lot, and seeing or thinking about my own feet when not wearing shoes and socks makes me feel guilty or unclean. Edited November 16, 2012 by Roaring_Gryphon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteOwl Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Sleeping with the windows open Listening to music while trying to go to sleep Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skiinggirl86 Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 This thread is a great idea. Just so happened this weekend two things majorly triggered me. Belts and tv/movies that have r*pe or AS in them others: Bars/clubs Being alone in a house at night alcohol Bathtubs..i know its weird Loud noises/startling noises Yelling Barbies..sometimes People touching me Cold/hard surfaces especially against face knives ropes Being held down Certain words, especially abuse, victim, SA, and r*pe Sleeping Thats all for now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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